Illinois outlasts Northern Kentucky in 79-64 battle

The senior scored a career-high 40 points and brought down 12 rebounds to help Illinois (2-0) fight through a first half where the Illini trailed 33-31 at halftime and struggled to hold off the Norse off until the end.

“It was something I was working on over the summer,” Hill said. “This is just one of the games that showed a lot of the hard work and dedication that I’ve put into my 3-point shot.”

The Illini shot 44 percent from the field but were 20-30 from the free-throw line.

Michael Finke also scored in double figures, adding 10 points and 11 rebounds for the Illini.

Illinois coach John Groce credited his veteran team for te “polite” conversation at halftime to change the team’s energy and focus.

“Our seniors responded big time in the second half,” he said. “I thought we came out with a lot more aggressiveness, a lot more attacking mentality.”

Lavone Holland II led Northern Kentucky (1-1) with 13 points, which kept the Norse in the game until the final eight minutes.